Tent Review - MSR Hubba NX Solo

MSR Hubba NX Solo Backpacking Tent

5 out of 5 stars

I am very happy I found this tent. This is absolutely the best tent I have ever owned, and I do not plan to replace it anytime soon.

This is just before this tent was put to the test. Not the best place to pitch a tent, but it performed great!

I found this tent for half-price at an outfitter store (Uncle Johnny’s Hostel in Nolichucky, TN). I already owned the MSR Zoic 1, but could not pass this one up. It normally retails for $349. With my research, I am certain this tent is not older than 2018. It is possible it is a 2019 MSR Hubba. I’m also certain it is not a 2020 version due to the all-gray rainfly. The newer versions appear to have a red door on the vestibule, which is true with my Zoic 1.

• Earlier in 2020 I had purchased the MSR Zoic 1 backpacking tent. You can read that review here to learn why I was pleased to replace it with this tent.

This tent weighs 2 lbs 7 oz. It did not come with a footprint. It is a single pole system.

• I purchased a MSR single-person universal footprint. I’ve added grommets to the footprint to allow setup of the rainfly over the footprint during a rainstorm. I’ve already been required to do this a few times. It is not easy to do, but worth the effort in order to keep the main tent body dry.

Packed away inside the stuff sack, with the footprint, this tent weighs under 3 lbs total. I’m very pleased with this.

The single pole system is DAC Featherlite NFL.

I’ve slept under a torrential, hard-pounding rain storm. During this storm I had made a rookie mistake; I set up in a muddy water collection area. The next morning I rolled my tent up in wet mud. Yuck. Yet I slept dry through the night! Talk about passing a test.

There is one ventilation window on the side of the rainfly opposite the vestibule.

Nice sunset at Carter Gap Shelter along the AT in North Carolina, 6 miles NoBo from Standing Indian Mtn.

The tent did produce a decent amount of condensation during that rainstorm. But it never quite got to the point of dripping on me. Also, during two recent trips where the temps dropped to around 34 degrees, there was only a slight amount of condensation inside the rainfly.

• I can report the inside temperature was around 49 degrees while the outside temperature was 34 degrees.

• I don’t know how this compares to other tents during similar conditions. But I’m pleased with this performance.

I did sacrifice a little bit of room on the interior, verses the Zoic 1 tent. The interior is 30” by 85”, whereas the Zoic 1 is 35” by 88” for the bathtub floor. The Hubba NX, like the Zoic 1, had plenty of headroom for changing clothes. This Hubba erects at a height of 36 inches.

The main body tent does not have sufficient cargo pockets; another thing I sacrificed when giving up the Zoic 1. There is one cargo pocket in a corner, which I definitely use. There is, however, four loops in each of the four corners at the top. I have fashioned a rope system across this area to allow me to hang my hiking clothes.

I may consider adding a cargo pocket at the top if this continues to bother me.

Bottom line; I feel I have my tent for the next few years. Unless I suddenly become wealthy and decide I can afford a Zpacks tent.

Enjoying a cup of hot tea as the sun sets during a chilly evening in Georgia.

Note. I am budget conscious in all backpacking gear purchases. My reviews are based upon multiple uses, spanning months or years.

Update: On a recent camping trip (November 21st, 2020), I woke up to 29 degrees. It was dry conditions, but there was enough condensation on the inside such that the rain fly froze to the tent poles. This tent is advertised as 3-season, so I don't believe I'll take it out for anything much lower than the upper 20s.

About The Author

My name is Jerry. Trail name is Monsoon. In addition to running a hiking club, I also own and operate a coffee shop & bookstore. Check it out here.